BC FORUM News

From Irene Mathyssen (MP London-Fanshaw; NDP Seniors Critic) and Murray Ranking (MP Victoria; NDP Pensions Critic), October 18, 2013

Seniors and Pension Report 

Wednesday’s Speech from the Throne failed to address the needs of seniors in Canada.  Middle and low-income seniors will see little benefit from initiatives already implemented such as tax credits and income splitting.  New initiatives aimed at seniors were limited to increasing access to information about programs and services.  There is so much more we could be doing to address the needs of seniors in this country including: improving access to geriatric health care; affordable and appropriate housing; and income security. 

Recently, Finance Minister Flaherty failed in his commitment to meet with Finance Ministers from across Canada in June to discuss pension increases; the provinces are expected to agree to an increase to CPP benefits, but this cannot happen if the federal Finance Minister refuses to meet with them. New Democrats have repeatedly pushed for the Finance Minister to fulfill his obligation to meet with the provinces.

In January 2012, Stephen Harper announced that he would increase the eligibility age for Old Age Security (OAS), effectively raising the Canadian retirement age from 65 to 67. New Democrats have committed to reversing these changes, and experts like the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the independent Parliamentary Budget Officer agree that this cut was not necessary, and that the OAS is sustainable.

The reality is that Canada can’t afford not to invest in improving retirement security and the changing needs of our aging population.  We have an opportunity now to set the standards for Canadians coming up to retirement and can ensure that all Canadians have an opportunity to retire in dignity with access to appropriate housing, health care and financial security.  Yet the Conservatives tell Canadians they will have to work two more years to collect Old Age Security, and the Finance Minister fails to live up to his commitments to work with the provinces to increase the CPP. They are ignoring the very real challenges that Canada’s aging population faces.

Sincerely,

Irene Mathyssen and Murray Rankin